Double vision

December 14, 2013

EMMETSBURG - St. Edmond crowned two individual champions and placed fifth overall as a team at the Emmetsburg Invitational here Saturday.

Top-ranked senior Vinnie Harvey and No. 3 junior Ryan Szalat were victorious at 220 and 113 pounds, respectively, for the Gaels, who had 134 total points. Hastings and Jackson County Central - two upper-level schools from Minnesota - placed first and second, respectively, in the overall standings.

''Vinnie and Ryan both controlled their matches and did what they needed to do,'' SEHS head coach Tanner Utley said. ''They looked strong.

''We're getting there. Hopefully we'll turn the corner soon. We just need to get back in the room and work on some things that need to get corrected.''

Nick Hindt (195) and Payton Sitzmann (126) were both third for the Gaels. Colin Birzer (106), Jimmy Averill (182) and Caelan Burbank (285) all placed fourth.

''It was nice to see Nick and Payton battle back for third after losing in the semis,'' Utley said. ''The Hastings team is ranked fourth in Minnesota's highest class. They were head and shoulders above everyone else. We saw some tough and different competition, which should help us out down the road.''